Report: Dem-Controlled Senate Doesn’t Have the Votes to Pass Gun Control Legislation

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Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-Calif.) proposed ban on so-called “assault weapons” would fail to pass the Democrat-controlled Senate if were brought to a vote today, according to an analysis from Bloomberg.

“At least six of the chamber’s 55 Democrats have recently expressed skepticism or outright opposition to a ban,” Bloomberg notes, citing its review of recent lawmaker statements and interviews.

“That means Democrats don’t have a simple 51-vote majority to pass the measure, let alone the 60 votes needed to break a Republican filibuster to bring it to a floor vote,” the report states.

Flanked by rifles and survivors of recent shootings, Feinstein outlined her proposed gun control measures at a press conference in Washington Thursday.

“No weapon is taken from anyone,” Feinstein said. “The purpose is to dry up the supply of these weapons over time.”

“Getting this bill signed into law will be an uphill battle, and I recognize that — but it’s a battle worth having,” she added. “We must balance the desire of a few to own military-style assault weapons with the growing threat to lives across America.”

“The five Democratic senators from traditionally pro-gun states who’ve recently expressed skepticism about the bill are Max Baucus and Jon Tester of Montana, Mark Begich of Alaska, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Joe Manchin of West Virginia,” Bloomberg notes.

“Independent Senator Angus King of Maine, who is caucusing with Democrats, also said he opposes a ban,” the report adds.

Also, despite having supported similar legislation in 2004, it seems unlikely that Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) would back Feinstein’s proposed ban.